The problem with most tilt; shift lenses on Pentax is most lenses can't be shifted up because of the flash overhang. That's a limitation that is overcome if you go for in camera tilt shift. I personally stayed clear of tilt shift on Pentax because of that issue, and because you can't accurately judge focus on on cameras back screen. These days, an iPad will be the way to go if this ever makes it to market.

When I was looking into the Rokinon, Samsang, Bower one, and another one the Mirex, they told me the overhang would interfere with the upward movement of the shift. In your quoted link, he's using equipment I'm not familiar with. I'm not saying it won't work. I'm saying there are limitations.

Look at the Mirex adapter further up the thread and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.

The Mirex is a 645 Adapter. I can image that this (645 diameter size) may cause problems on shift (more than tilt) on the short end of lenses. To what I have used, it never posed problems. And the Nikon are great with the Leitax, since they have the stop down metering in the lens.

When I was looking into the Rokinon, Samsang, Bower one, and another one the Mirex, they told me the overhang would interfere with the upward movement of the shift. In your quoted link, he's using equipment I'm not familiar with. I'm not saying it won't work. I'm saying there are limitations.

Look at the Mirex adapter further up the thread and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.

I read on one of the threads there was a 1 degree limitation in the upwards tilt for the Rokinon. That would be 7.5 degrees instead of 8.5. I have sent DDoram a private message in the hope that he can set me straight.

I know he talks about using the upward shift in his review and descriptions of his photos. So I am sure it works; just not to what degree. Fully functional or just partially.

The Mirex is a 645 Adapter. I can image that this (645 diameter size) may cause problems on shift (more than tilt) on the short end of lenses. To what I have used, it never posed problems. And the Nikon are great with the Leitax, since they have the stop down metering in the lens.

The advantage to the Mirex is the 645 lenses have a wider image circle meaning more room to shift.

When I was looking into the Rokinon, Samsang, Bower one, and another one the Mirex, they told me the overhang would interfere with the upward movement of the shift. In your quoted link, he's using equipment I'm not familiar with. I'm not saying it won't work. I'm saying there are limitations.

Look at the Mirex adapter further up the thread and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.

DDoram has responded to my PMs and he says there is no issue with the tilt function at all on the Rokinon tilt shift. The knobs are small which everyone knows. The knobs can also be tight to get to; but as far as just functioning goes, he has no issues with it. He went on to say the performance shines a lot brighter on the K1 vs the K3. The lens is one he has owned for several years and he did not offer to sell his copy to me. I think that is saying something also .

I am going to wait until Black Friday before making a decision. It is 699.00 right now at BH and Adorama which was the Black Friday deal last year.

I guess I wouldn't describe it that way. I would say that the DA *55 gives typical performance for an f1.4 lens on full frame. There are some very high quality lenses referenced here that have similar performance to the DA *55. To get better performance will require a much larger lens that is also quite a bit more expensive.

Bismillah

Some say the 55mm DA* struggles with AF on crop sensor cameras. Does this remain on FF and is it better or worse? Thanks.

I never found it to struggle for focus on crop sensor or the K-1. It is an SDM powered lens so like many of them it is not very fast to focus but I was always satisfied with it. DA*55 1.4 is a wonderful lens

I never found it to struggle for focus on crop sensor or the K-1. It is an SDM powered lens so like many of them it is not very fast to focus but I was always satisfied with it. DA*55 1.4 is a wonderful lens

SDM and portrait lens (made as such although of course it's normal focal lens on FF)

It is to me. I bought a DFA 50 macro instead. I lose the wider f stops but gain macro and super sharp images at f2.8. 50mm used to be a 'cheap' lens for people starting out but is now a premium lens.

At BH in the DSLR category for full frame there are currently 12 50s at 500.00 to a 1000.00 and 6 at 1000.00 to 1500.00.

The six for above 1000.00 are listed as these three brand names:

1 - Sony
1 - Canon
4 - Zeiss
6- Total

None of them for a Pentax Mount; and a feature set all six of them share is either weather sealed or dust moisture resistant. If you want a premium fast fifty that is weather sealed it comes at a premium price for full frame. If you want a reasonably fast 50 that is not weather sealed you have more options.